Cardiologists’ pay averaged $575K in 2025, yet half feel underpaid: 10 stats to know

Cardiologists in the U.S. earned an average of $575,000 in 2025, up about 10% from 2024, according to Medscape’s Cardiologist Compensation Report 2026.

The report collected data from respondents who were full-time physicians practicing in the US only. Cardiologists reported total compensation including base salary, incentive bonus, and other income such as profit-sharing contributions. 

Here are 10 compensation stats to know:

1. Cardiologists had the second-highest annual compensation among more than 25 physician specialties included in the report, trailing only orthopedics. 
2. Most cardiologists were not aggressive in their most recent contract negotiations, but 17% reported that they were “very aggressive” or “aggressive” while negotiating. 
3. Just over half (52%) of respondents feel that they are paid fairly. 
4. More than 60% of cardiologists feel that the medical profession in general is underpaid. 
5. About three-quarters of cardiologists say that their pay is either more than they need or matches what they need when it comes to their family’s living expenses, debts and retirement savings. 
6. The average incentive bonus for cardiologists is $79,000, which is impacted by RVUs generated, quality care metrics and patient satisfaction ratings alongside other data points. 
7. About 75% of cardiologists have an incentive bonus program available to them in their current role. 
8. Only 37% of cardiologists augment their regular pay with outside work, which includes more hours, medical moonlighting and nonmedical outside work. 
9. The average workweek for cardiologists is 56 hours. 
10. For cardiologists with a work contract, the most common lengths are 13 months to two years and 25 months to three years, with more than half of contracts falling into those categories. 

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